中国稀土对美出口暴增660%，管制失效了？这是一场精准“放水”

Core Viewpoint - The recent surge in China's rare earth exports to the U.S. is not a sign of a policy shift but rather a strategic maneuver in the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict, reflecting a complex negotiation process between the two nations [1][5][16]. Export Data - In May, China's rare earth exports to the U.S. were only 46 tons, but in June, this figure skyrocketed to 353 tons, marking an increase of 307 tons and a year-on-year growth of 660% [2]. Strategic Context - The increase in exports is attributed to pre-existing orders made before the escalation of the trade conflict, as well as a significant accumulation of rare earth materials by Chinese companies, which now exceeds 2000 tons [3][5]. - Recent breakthroughs in U.S.-China tariff negotiations, including the easing of restrictions on EDA software and H20 chips, have prompted China to expedite the approval process for rare earth exports to the U.S. [5][16]. Export Control Policies - China maintains a firm stance on export controls, allowing only civilian rare earths to be exported while military-grade materials remain strictly off-limits [7][16]. - The U.S. is reportedly attempting to circumvent these restrictions by re-labeling civilian rare earths for military use through third-party countries [11]. Technology and Market Dynamics - Both countries are engaged in a technological arms race, with China seeking to reduce its dependency on high-performance chips through domestic innovation, as evidenced by the success of companies like Huawei and SMIC [13][18]. - The ongoing trade conflict is characterized by a mutual dependency, where neither side can fully disengage from the other in the short term, but the long-term winner will be determined by who achieves breakthroughs in critical technologies first [20].